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PULIS WILL GET THE BEST OUT OF BORO 1st April 2018

It is said that you should never look back because you can't change what has already gone. That however doesn't stop football fans from thinking what might have been.

All managers have different ideas on players and tactics but two former Boro players have excelled this season playing in their correct positions and to their strengths.

In the Championship one of Boro's promotion rivals have benefitted from the goals and attacking skills of Albert Adomah. Aston Villa's Steve Bruce has got the best out of the former fans' Riverside favourite.

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Under Karanka his overall game improved as he was taught defensive duties, that though reduced his offensive attributes which he has regained to great effect this season.

Even more frustrating has been the re-emergence of Christian Stuani. Over in La Liga he has only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of him in the goal scoring charts.

He was played out of position at the Boro; we saw evidence of his finishing capabilities, none more so than when his brace killed off Sunderland at the Stadium of Light during the ill-fated Premier League season.

Playing up front alongside the usually isolated Negredo would have been a handful for even the best sides to cope with. It was the lack of goals that cost Boro their top flight place and you'd have fancied those two to have bagged a fair few.

Like they say, we'll never know but you can't help thinking that with someone like Tony Pulis at the helm we won't make similar mistakes in the future and as we are seeing with the likes of Shotton, Ayala, Traore and Bamford the experienced Boro boss will get the best out of his charges.